Warren’s armory technicians allow safeguarding of Air Force’s top priority Published June 30, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Mike Tryon 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Without armory technicians doing their job, Air Force Global Strike Command's security forces personnel here cannot safeguard the Air Force's number one priority -- nuclear deterrence. For the past two wing inspections -- Combat Capability Exercise and Nuclear Surety Inspection -- the armory team has been recognized as a Professional Team. "That was our goal," said Tech. Sgt. Lawrence Vaden, 90th Security Support Squadron armory assistant NCO-in-charge. "We didn't want one individual recognized, because we're a family down here, and every single one of us works just as hard as the person next to us." Armory technicians need to verify what weapon(s) personnel are required for each shift, as well as gather the weapon(s) and any additional gear, such as ammunition and radios, prior to arming any security forces personnel. Once those steps have been accomplished, armory technicians can issue personnel their gear. "The best part about being an armory technician has to be, hands down, back-up force arming," said Senior Airman Camden Ege, 90th SSPTS armory technician. "We spent many after-duty hours training and perfecting this process, which allowed us during the past two inspections to arm 700 individuals with an average arming rate of 18.53 seconds per person." Arming defenders that quickly allows for more forces to respond faster to protect or deter others from gaining access to military resources. "While any security forces member with a five skill-level or higher can be assigned armory duties, to be successful you should have a meticulous character," said Tech. Sgt. Bryan Broberg, 90th SSPTS armory NCO-in-charge. Some of the traits required for an armory technician are poise, professionalism and the ability to multi-task, Sergeant Broberg added. Along with arming about 250 people daily, armory technicians have to accomplish accountability of all weapons and gear issued five times per shift. A monthly inventory, by serial number, of all weapons in the armory is also required. That inventory can take up to 13 days to complete. Currently stored in the armory are several types of weapons, ranging from pistols and rifles to grenade launchers and shotguns. Personal weapons can also be stored in the armory on a case-by-case basis. To store a weapon in the armory, individuals need a letter signed by their commander. Typically, storing weapons is reserved for those who cannot store weapons in their residence, such as dormitory residents. Training and maintaining the armory to the standards they have set forth is something Sergeant Vaden said his armory team will continue to do. "Now that we've set the standard, we expect to continue to be recognized as a professional team during every inspection," Sergeant Vaden added.